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Things Jamaican, 26 Hope Rd. , is affiliated with the government and set up to encourage the development of Jamaican Arts and Crafts. There is an array of products, including rums, liqueurs, jerk seasonings, and jellies such as orange pepper. Look for Busha Browns fine Jamaica sauces, especially their spicy chutneys such as banana, and their spicy "love apple" sauce (it's actually tomato). Many items are carved from wood - not only sculptures, but salad bowls and trays as well. You'll also find hand-woven baskets and women's handbags made of bark (in Jamaica, these are known, unflatteringly, as "old lady bags").

Wassi Art Gallery and Collectibles, 26 Hope Rd. , is one of the most interesting shops in Devon House. All the merchandise is made by Wassi Art, a labor-intensive, low-tech Jamaican method. Look for functional, durable kitchenware prized by Jamaican homeowners for its eco-sensitive, earthy appeal. Anything you buy can be shipped via FedEx. Items cost from $5 to $2,000.

Frame Centre Gallery, 10 Tangerine Place, is one of the most important art galleries in Jamaica. Its founder and guiding force, Guy McIntosh, is widely respected as a patron of the Jamaican arts. There are three viewing areas and more than 300 works.

The Mutual Life Gallery, Mutual Life Centre, 2 Oxford Rd. , is one of Jamaica's most prominent art galleries. This center offers an insight into the changing face of Jamaican art. The gallery's exhibitions are organized by Gilou Bauer, who encourages unknowns as well as showcasing established artists with flair. Exhibitions change once a month, but there are usually long-term exhibits as well. The gallery is a not-for-profit institution.

Tuff Gong Recording Studios, 220 Marcus Garvey Dr. , can be both a shopping expedition and an attraction. South of Denham Town, this is the headquarters of the late Bob Marley's family business. You might even run into his son, Ziggy Marley, coming out of a recording session; his Melody Makers have their headquarters here. Sometimes you can persuade someone to let you in for a tour. If not, settle for a visit to their gift shop, filled with reggae CDs and tapes, records, T-shirts, handicrafts, and other mementos.

Loaded with a wider variety of medications than any other pharmacy in Kingston, the Dick Kinkead Pharmacy, Ltd. , 72-76 Harbor St. , has been compared to a civic institution. Local residents sometimes head here for advice before seeing a doctor. All substances are made on the premises, including medical toothpaste made from tropical roots and herbs called Chew Dent; it's made from chew stick, in the tradition of West Africans.

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David S. Miller sculpture

by Laura Schwartz from Clearlake, California

would the lady in california contact me at gbsmoms@sbcglobal.net and i will send you more info on your sculpture with a picture of mine. i am collecting pictures for my little galery i am putting together of the Miller's work. thanks,

David S. Miller Sculpture

by Mariliyn Petch from El Cerrito, CA

Laura- I just bought this morning in an "antique store" a very sweet sculpture of a woman by David S. Miller. 8 Bray st..... and it is dated 1/18/1937 and says lignum vitae which is apparently the wood. Lignum vitea is the heartwood of a tree and in latin it means wood of life. I just googled his name and found your question. If you know any more about the artist please let me know. Best wishes,

The Wood Used For Carving a Old Frog From a Long Time Ago.

by Laura Schwartz from California, USA

I was interested in a special kind of wood that must be in the Jamaica area. I have a very old wooden hand carved frog that is from Kingston. I am a collector of wooden carvings because of this piece my mom had when i was young. It has always had a pleasant unusual smell in the wood. Wood is hard, with nothing on it naturally scented for all these years. Carver I guess is 'David S. Miller' at 8 Bray ST., Kingston JAMAICA B.W.I. (that's what is scribed on the bottom of the ... [read more]

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